Colonel (USA, Retired) Shelley Yarborough – Treasurer

Shelley Yarborough has more than forty-three years working in defense and defense aerospace. She’s now running her own Alexandria-based consulting firm after thirteen years at Cypress International. Shelley joined Cypress after 30 years leading Army and Joint organizations, and advising the most senior executive leaders. She is experienced in aerospace technologies, defense industry strategic planning, aerospace market & budget analysis, business development & proposal review efforts.

Shelley was commissioned in the Army in 1981 as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate from Murray State University. She began her operational flying in the 6th Cav Bde (Air Combat) as an AVIM maintenance officer. In 1990 she graduated from the USN Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, and was assigned to the Army Technical Test Center’s Aviation Qualification Test Directorate, Edwards AFB as an engineering test pilot.

Shelley was later assessed to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Abn) as the Systems Integration Officer. She achieved Master Army Aviator status and has piloted more than 40 rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Shelley served in operational aviation; program management; Army and Joint staff acquisition support, budget assessment and program oversight assignments; and commanded in leadership positions for 30yrs. She retired from active duty in 2011 from the Joint Staff.

Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics from Murray State University, a Masters in Aerospace Management from Embry Riddle, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the USAF Air War College. She is a graduate of the USAF Air Command & Staff and Air War Colleges, and has earned defense acquisition workforce certifications from the Defense Acquisition University in executive program management and test and evaluation.

Shelley’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Master Army Aviator badge and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal.

Some notable ongoing community and professional commitments include:

• Board of Directors (Treasurer), Homes For Our Troops (HFOT)
• National Executive Board & Life Member, Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA)
• National Board of Governors (Vice President) for the AAAA Scholarship Foundation Inc.
• Finance & Audit Advisory Committee and Life Member, Association of the United States Army
• Life Member, Disabled American Veterans
• Board Advisor, KOTERRA, Healing Redefined
• Life Member, Vertical Flight Society
• Member, National Defense Industrial Association

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